At the annual Kimalel Goat Auction and Cultural Festival in Baringo County, President William Ruto and a group of senior officials stirred excitement as they helped raise tens of millions of shillings in just minutes during this year’s festive livestock sale.
The event, held at the Kimalel grounds in Marigat, draws farmers, traders and buyers from across Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands, turning livestock into instant income for pastoral communities ahead of Christmas.
On Monday, President Ruto took centre stage during the auction, committing cash contributions that saw goats — brought in large numbers by local herders — purchased swiftly by politicians, businessmen and government officials. To ensure transparency and immediate payment, Ruto insisted that all transactions be done in hard cash at the point of sale rather than on credit or through cheques.
Although different reports vary slightly on totals, local media highlighted how the crowd of buyers, led by Ruto, moved quickly through the listings — collectively contributing tens of millions of shillings in under a quarter of an hour. Many of the goats sold fetched high prices compared with local market rates, reflecting both the quality of the livestock and the competitive bidding at the auction.
Other officials also took part, buying goats in large numbers alongside the president. Their participation helped ensure farmers walked away with immediate earnings, boosting household incomes and reinforcing the event’s role as a vital rural economic platform.
This year’s high turnout and rapid sales underscore the importance of the Kimalel Goat Auction not just as a cultural tradition but as a key economic opportunity for livestock keepers.
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